Super Bowl debate: Which QB?

Sunday

Jan 27, 2008 at 2:00 AM

Which Super Bowl quarterback is playing better? Here's our view, and one from New York.

By RUSS CHARPENTIER

At first glance, you might say Eli Manning. Three playoff games, no picks. Tom Brady is coming off that unusual, three-interception game (he had only eight all season) against a Chargers defense known for its takeaways. But he still completed 22-of-33 passes for 209 yards and two TDs and was supported up by a second-half running game that lightened his load considerably. In the two games before that, Brady was lights out: The amazing 26-for-28 (with three TDs) in the playoff win over Jacksonville and 356 yards and a pair of scores in the regular-season finale against the Giants. Sure, Manning's been effective of late; Brady has been brilliant since Day 1.

Russ Charpentier covers the Patriots for the Cape Cod Times.

By KEVIN GLEASON

The temptation is to call Eli Manning a hotter quarterback than Tom Brady. Manning has thrown only one interception with eight touchdowns in the past four games. Brady is coming off a three-interception effort against San Diego. But let's get real. You want to define hot, we need look no further than Brady's 26-of-28 three-touchdown masterpiece in the previous game against Jacksonville. You can't let a couple ill-advised throws against San Diego overshadow one of the great games by a quarterback in NFL history. I love the way Eli's playing. But hotter than Brady? Cool it.

Kevin Gleason covers the Giants for the Times Herald-Record in Middletown, N.Y.